Plymouth Looked After Children Education (PLACE) Team

Promoting the education of children and young people in care

What does it mean to be 'in care'

Children and young people 'in care' are also referred to as 'looked after' by the Local Authority. They are either:

• On Care Orders made by a court, in which case parental responsibility is shared between the Local Authority and the natural parents.
• Or accommodated by the Local Authority at the parents request.  In this case parents can resume care of their child at any time, and they retain full parental responsibility.

Why do we need to support the education of young people in care?

• We are their 'corporate parents' and should advocate for them as we would for our own children.
• Local authorities have a legal duty to promote the education of children in care.
• National research has shown that young people in care underachieve significantly in school.
• A good education provides a sound basis for transition to a fulfilling and successful adult life.
• School provides stability, continuity and normality for children looked after.

How can we all work together?

The Children Act 2004 placed a new legal duty on local authorities to promote the educational achievement of children in care. The Director of Children's Services and the Lead Member on Plymouth City Council are responsible for ensuring that parents, carers, social workers and schools all work together to support the educational achievement of children in care.

We can do this by:

• Promoting the value of a good education and a happy school life.
• Having high expectations of young people's school work and behaviour.
• Attending school functions and celebrating the young person's progress and achievement.
• Encouraging young people to participate in school visits, clubs and activities.
• Promoting young people's self-belief, confidence and ambitions.
• Taking time to talk to the young person about their school life.

What does the Children Act say about promoting the education of children in care?

Local Authorities are required to ensure that:

• Each school appoints a designated teacher to act as a resource and advocate for those young people in care within their school.
• Every child in care has a Personal Education Plan, completed by their social worker, designated teacher and foster carer.
• Education provision has been arranged before the young person’s care placement unless it is an emergency or on clear Health and Safety grounds.
• The education placement for a child in care, as for any child, should be full-time in a local mainstream school unless the circumstances of the child make this unsuitable.
• Children in care are given top priority for admission to their chosen school at the start of primary and secondary schooling (Reception and Year Seven)
• Care leavers are supported by the local authority until they are 21 (24 if in Higher Education)

What we are we doing to improve the educational experiences and attainments of young people in care in Plymouth City Council?

The PLACE team is working hard to:

• Promote education in the lives of children in care.
• Raise the educational attainment of children in care by Plymouth City Council nearer to that of their peers.
• Advise and support designated teachers, other professionals and carers on educational issues.
• Link with other agencies and local authorities to improve the life chances of children in care.
• Celebrate the educational achievements of children in care and care leavers.
• Promote the importance of stable supported educational placements for children in care in the most inclusive setting appropriate to the child’s needs.

Liaise closely with schools and educational settings outside Plymouth (20% of Plymouth children in care are educated by another Local Education Authority).

For further information on the educational performance of young people in care in Plymouth City Council please go to the educational performance of children in care page.

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